By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 40 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Seven of those members, who will serve three-year terms, are from the Farm World readership area.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (usually referred to as the Cattlemen’s Beef Board) consists of 99 members, including domestic beef, dairy and veal producers, as well as importers of beef and beef byproducts. Each state has representation.

The Beef Board is responsible for approving the annual budget for its national checkoff-funded programs. The Beef Board has an Executive Committee consisting of 12 members and this committee conducts the month-to-month activities between meetings of the full Board and oversees the administration of the Beef Promotion and Research Act under the direction and within the guidelines established by Board members.

Bellevue, Iowa, resident Jenni Peters was among the 40 appointed to this vital post. Peters was with the National Beef Promotion and Research Board in 1994. She and her husband, Charlie, were living in Colorado at the time. They moved back to Iowa in 1997 and began growing their cow herd.

“To be appointed to this board is humbling,” Peters said, “and it’s something I take very seriously. With promotion, we need to tell people about our product of meat and let people on the East and West coasts who are not involved in agriculture that ours is a safe product. As producers, we’re mindful of the animal. When it comes to research that could involve new recipes, new cuts of meat, safety and concern for our foreign markets. It also includes producing commercials and other promotional activities.”

Peters and her husband own and operate Peters Beef Genetics, a diversified beef operation. The couple raises corn, beans, alfalfa and pasture.

“Our faith and family is what sustains us as we continue to provide food and fiber for our neighbors while taking care of the land and livestock entrusted to us,” Peters said. “We’re all so busy that we often forget to let everyone know why we do what we do, and that’s feed the world.”

Norman Voyles Jr., of Martinsville, Ind.,  was also selected to this board. Parts of Voyles’ farm have been in his family since 1828.

“Today, most of my operation is run by my brother, myself and my son,” Voyles said. “We row crop close to 1,800 acres of soybeans and have about 100 head of cattle on 200 acres of pasture. The cattle we have are primarily a Simmental-Angus cross.”

Celeste Blackburn, of Jefferson City, Tenn., was named to the board. Blackburn is a third-generation dairy farmer who has served as President of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee Board.

“Not only are we, as farmers, working hard to provide milk to thousands of consumers in Tennessee and across the Southeast, but we are also promoting an entire industry and food group that can be consumed in so many different and nutritional ways,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn serves as one of 38 board members for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and is vice president of the Tennessee Beef Council and Tennessee Beef Promotion Board. She is also on the Southeast United Dairy Industry Board.

Shane Wiseman, who has served on the Cattlemen’s Nutrition and Health Committee, was appointed to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Wiseman is a fifth-generation cattle and tobacco farmer from Winchester, Ky. His grandfather bought him his first beef cow when Shane was just 4 years old. He continued to grow his operation, which today includes more than 500 head of cattle.

Kathryn Sautter of Tiro, Ohio, was appointed to this board. Sautter also serves on the Cattlemen’s Budget & Audit Committee, as well as the Nutrition & Health Committee.

Finally, Ross Havens of Wiota, Iowa and Justin Rahn of Mount Carroll, Illinois, were also appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

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 Photo artline -- Charlie and Jenni Peters of Bellevue, Iowa, own and operate Peters Beef Genetics. They are the sixth generation of the Peters family to farm and raise cattle in Jackson County, Iowa. (photo submitted)

Photo artline -- Celeste Blackburn, a third-generation dairy farmer from Jefferson City, Tennessee, was among 40 appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. (photo submitted)